Egypt is ready for the arrival of thousands of aid trucks to enter Gaza.
They attributed the delay in the much-needed humanitarian relief to the strict inspections imposed by Israel, as per Bloomberg.
Escalating Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza Due to Israel-Hamas Conflict
The ongoing battle between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a severe humanitarian issue in the Gaza Strip. Despite a slight increase in the supply of aid, the number of trucks entering Gaza remains insufficient to meet the needs of the desperate population.
With only an average of 14 aid trucks entering daily, compared to the 400 trucks during regular times, the situation is catastrophic. The lack of essential supplies, such as bread, has compounded the suffering of Gaza's 2.3 million residents.
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has criticized the inadequate humanitarian assistance to Gaza. He emphasized that the current aid deliveries are not commensurate with the needs of the people, exacerbating the already tragic situation.
Guterres reiterated his call for a humanitarian truce to address the urgent needs of the population. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has faced numerous challenges in providing aid to Gaza.
A break-in at one of its warehouses by hungry Gazans has complicated their work. Additionally, the agency's second warehouse near the Rafah border crossing has become more complicated due to 8,000 displaced people seeking shelter.
UNRWA reported the highest number of staff casualties, with 67 workers killed since the beginning of the conflict, according to Reuters.
Gaza's Displaced Population Exceeds UNRWA's Worst-Case Scenario
The number of displaced people in Gaza has surpassed the worst-case scenario planned by UNRWA. The agency struggles to aid at least 670,000 displaced individuals in 150 shelters.
One of their priorities is supplying wheat flour to bakeries. However, UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma stated that they are already far from their capacity to do more. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported severe damage to their warehouses in Gaza City, rendering them out of service.
This has further hampered the distribution of aid to those in need. The constant threat of bombardment and lack of fuel have made roads dangerous and inaccessible, complicating the efforts of aid organizations such as UNICEF Palestine.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached a critical level, prompting urgent action from international actors. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the situation as "beyond urgent" and pledged to increase aid deliveries to 100 trucks daily.
The United States is also working on a mechanism to provide fuel where it is needed. Egypt is planning to evacuate medical patients from Gaza for treatment. The dire living conditions in Gaza have raised concerns about sanitation and public health.
With 1.4 million people displaced in a densely populated territory, access to proper sanitation facilities is severely lacking. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 82 attacks on healthcare facilities, resulting in the death of 491 people, including health workers.
The lack of sanitation infrastructure increases the risk of disease outbreaks, including diarrhea and respiratory and skin infections, CBS News reported.
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